Bucks Outlast Mountaineers 64-54 (Video Report)

Joe Simon’s Homecoming as Opposing Coach Bittersweet

FARWELL – The Bucks hosted Heartland Conference rival, South Williamsport, Monday evening to welcome home one of their own. Joe Simon (BAHS Class of 2006) in now at the helm for the Mountaineer boys’s basketball team.

The experience turned out to be bittersweet for Simon. While he had the opportunity to meet and greet many family and friends, South came up short taking home a 64-54 loss to Bucktail.

The Bucks opened up the contest by sprinting ut to a 22-5 lead after one quarter of play, then the Mountaineers managed to close the gap by outscoring the hosts 19-9, trailing Bucktail 31-24 at the half.

The scoring was a bit more even in the third quarter where Bucktail edged South 15-13 to hold onto a 46-37 lead heading into the final period.

That’s when the game became very intriguing.

Several of the Bucktail starters were in foul trouble and the ball just wasn’t bouncing their way. Conversely, South’s fortunes were picking up. They were taking advantage of the Buck’s miscues and converting free throws at the foul line.

To add frustration for the Bucks and coach Dave Pentz, two players, Ryan Prebble and Mike Casper had fouled out of the game … with Trent Bixler, Josh Knauff and Deshawn Johnson only having one foul remaining before they too would be asked to join their teammates on the bench. All this with just over 6:00 remaining in the game.

The Bucks battled well, then slowly, they were getting their stride back they had in the early going. Fewer turnovers, they were now benefiting from the calls and converting key free throws and judicious shooting.

With only 2:04 remaining in the contest, Bucktail’s lead was only a 54-51 margin. Then the Bucks methodically managed to extend their lead outscoring South 10-3 in those final two minutes to claim a hard-fought victory.

Leading the way for the Bucks was Tristan Shelb with 21, Derrick Long had 14 followed by Josh Knauff with 12 points.

Trent Bixler scored 8 points with Deshawn Johnson tallying 5 and Ryan Pribble contributing 4 points.

Next up for the Bucks are road trips to Warrior Run on Wednesday and another away contest at Sullivan County on Friday.

Be sure to view the Video Report below to catch all the highlights from the game as well as interviews with each Pent and South’s head coach Joe Simon on his homecoming visit to Farwell.

Video Report

–